David Lammy the newly appointed foreign secretary in the Keir Stammer government in the UK arrived in New Delhi on an official visit. He was received at the Delhi Airport by a delegation of the Ministry of External Affairs.
The Foreign Minister’s first visit is expected to highlight the importance of a new partnership with India that focuses on economic, domestic and global security.
In a post on X, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “Warm welcome to UK Foreign Secretary @DavidLammy as he arrives in New Delhi on his first official visit since the assumption of office. The visit will strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries and will make the ‘living bridge’ between India & UK stronger.”
Lammy will also hold talks with his counterpart External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar where he will reiterate the contribution of British Indians in enriching the UK’s social and economic landscape and how they are the epitome of modern Britain.
On July 6, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar after taking charge of the foreign ministry in the Modi 3.0 government had spoken to David Lammy. The two ministers reaffirmed the commitment to enhance India and the UK’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
David Lammy said “The UK and India share a unique friendship with deep connections between our people, business, and culture. Great to speak to my friend Dr S Jaishankar about unlocking the potential of our relationship and developing a stronger and deeper comprehensive strategic partnership.”
Earlier speaking at the India Global Forum in the UK on June 30, Lammy had said that Labour looked forward to a new India-UK strategic partnership.
“India is a superpower, 1.4 billion people strong, the largest country in the world, an economic superpower set to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2030. Our aspiration for a free trade deal between our two nations is a flaw, not a ceiling on our ambitions. And why our leader has set his sights on, yes, a new UK-India strategic partnership that focuses on economic security, domestic security, and global security. And announcing his intentions on this very same stage last year and a relaunch of our relationship because I’m afraid it’s our view that the Conservatives have time and time again over-promised and under-delivered when it comes,” he added.
The UK Foreign Secretary will travel on from India to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Laos where he will advance UK economic partnerships and unveil new cooperation on climate and health.
(ANI)